Sparking target game



Jur le 7, 1938. w C E 2,119,572

SPARKING TARGET GAME Filed April 30, 1936 v 2 Sheets-Sheet l June 1938- E. w. CRESWELL SPARKING TARGET GAME Filed April 30, 1956 Iwvenibr 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Emu.

Patented June 7, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE- SPARKING TARGET GAME Everett W. Creswell, Auburn, Mass.

Application April 30, 1936, Serial No. 77,200

1 Claim.

My present invention is a novel and improved sparking target, toy, game, or apparatus, and the object of this invention is to improve and perfect the device and apparatus of my prior and copending application Ser. No. 22,207, filed May 18, 1935.

In my said prior target game, I illustrated therein and have claimed broadly a device which would have a target operated on the striking of a missile to produce a sparking effect, or a series of sparks, or the like. In my present device I have improved the spark-creating apparatus, the target and releasing means, and have rendered the same more positive in action upon the striking of the missiles, or contact with a stick, Wand, or the hand of a player; and have developed means permitting a winding up of the spring and temporary release of same so that a large number, or a plurality of successive operations can be performed without a rewinding; whereas in my prior device the movable part of the target had to be reset each time.

In my present invention, therefore, I have both improved and simplified the apparatus and have 25 provided automatic means for continuous resetting of the target or movable member, together with automatic means for insuring a continuous sparking effect for a predetermined length of time, whereupon the target will again be ready 30 for instant use without attention from the player,

resetting, rewinding, or the like.

In carrying out the present invention I prefer to utilize a movable target which will, upon being struck by a missile, or other object, instantly release the spark-creating mechanism without displacing the target from its relative position, so that the apparatus is at all times in desirable operative position. I am enabled to secure a suitable release of the spark-creating mechanism 40 by a slight oscillating movement of the target as distinguished from the complete release and rotation as illustrated in the embodiment of the apparatus in my said prior application.

Furthermore, I may arrange or adjust the 45 sparking instrumentalities to produce any desired or predetermined series and sequence, in time or number of sparking effects, or the like; and I accomplish this in a simple and efiicient manner by suitably timing the stubs or other ad- 50 justing means during the unwinding of the spring actuating the mechanism.

Also in the present embodiment of the invention I prefer to utilize one or more centrifugally operated spark-creating devices independent of 55 the target before release by the same instead of having the target itself rotate and produce the sparking effects.

Referring to the drawings illustrating preferred embodiments;

Fig. 1 illustrates: an air pistol, or the like, which may be utilized as part of the game and as the missile-throwing device against the target;

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic View illustrating the position of the apparatus;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of 10 one form of the target apparatus;

Fig. 4 being a plan View on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view illustrating a typical form and contour of the 15 movable target device;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a modified form of driving mechanism;

Fig. '7 is a view illustrating the target in use with the spark-creating instrumentalities in operation;

Fig. 8 is a plan View on the line 8-8 of Fig. 6, and

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary plan view on the line 99 Of Fig. 6.

As shown in the drawings any type or sort of missile or missile-throwing device may be utilized.

I have illustrated for this purpose a well-known type of air gun I with a contact missile 2, which may be of the vacuum cup type, if desired, in order that it will stick on the target center when it strikes the same and remain to show the position of contact.

This, however, is entirely optional as the target apparatus is so constructed and arranged that any striking by a missile or otherwise of the surface of the target will release the sparking mechanism and thus register the hit on the movable center 3. The target apparatus comprises a supporting plate 5 which carries the apparatus. and which may be suspended, supported, or secured to a post, wall, or the like when in use. In the form shown in Figs. 3 and 4, suitably secured to the plate 5, is a frame 6, and attached to the latter frame is a flanged second frame I securedv by rivets 8-8 (see Fig. 3), which frame 'I in turn carries a further frame 9 in which are suitably mounted a winding spring l0 and a driving train comprising gear II, pinion l2, driving a second gear l3 in mesh with a pinion I4 which is secured to the shaft [5, having at one end a block l6 carrying one or more freely pivoted arms l1|1, which are adapted to rotate at relatively high speed upon release of the spring 10 thru' the 55 increased gear and pinion construction shown and described. a

' I'he arms. HI-'| are attached to a rotatable block [6 near the lower portion of same, and at the end of each block'is a projecting plug l8 of flint, adapted to contact with and slide'over the surface of a strip of emery paper 20, or'the like, so that when the shaft'l 5 is rotated'by the release of the spring ID, the arms I! will be thrown out horizontally owing to,centrifugal force, and the' 7 contact members l8-l8will produce a contact as the same' are rapidly rotated therethroughr i.

with and striking effect on the emery paper 20, a

'A key 2| secured tothe stem 22iis provided to wind the spring 10 in the usual manner; 'Secured to the gear H to which is attached thew 'spring I is an overhanging frame 25 in which i [one end of the spring I0 may be secured, :as

poselof this bearing;

A coil spring 33 extendingaround the axle of the'pihio'n I2 andbearingibetween the under side of the topiframe' 9"and'the adjacent 'portion of the? flat spring'f30," as clearly shown in 'Fig. 3, is also provided. The shaft l islar' ranged to' be r'eciprocated'by the striking of'the surface of the target 3; whereupon the flat spring 30 is released against the :tensionof the spring 33Iandreleases thestop '28 ontop of each frame 25; whereupon the spring l0, which has been wound to desired ite'n'sionfis 'released' and the gear I l rotatedi'thru one revolution until, the stop 28 again strikes on the spring 30;:the"m0 ment'ary: iinpacto'n the? target compressing the spring ,33 during the momentary time of ime pac't,.:Whereupon' the coiled spring 33 willforce back the fiat spring 30 on top of theframe25,

the stop 28 having meanwhile passed'under the r 35 surrounded ,by' a coiled spring 39; asjclearly same during the initiation of the unwindingof thespring 10. a

,',:In' order, to have the-target 3 perform this release, "I mount the same on av pair of movable studs 35-35 securing theends of said studs thruappropriate recesses in the frame Bfwith nuts or heads 3636 thereon, and with each stud shown inFig. 3', so that the target normally is raised: abovethe-surface of the plate 5Vand held yieldingly in position. A center stud '40 on the target 3is positioned to contact "with the head 4| of'the shaft [5. Consequently when'the face of'thetarget 3 is struck, the springs 39-39 will yield permitting the target 3 to be depressed, Wi-ththe contact member 45 moving the shaft l5'..and, .Iconsequently,..lifting the flat-spring ,30

from its holding action againstthe stop 28, hence permitting a single revolution ofjthe train of gears'jand consequent actuation of the arms l1,

' and. throwing the same against the emery, strip 20 to ,effectthe sparking action. Ihe. plate 5 is A cut. away as' fshown at .142 to facilitate this oscillating movement ;and to permit the blo'ck lfi on the shaft, 15 to be moved in this particular form' ofythefinventionr r B'j e n to. h some h t m fi m n Figs; fi, 7',8, and 9,:I have hereinillustrated the 7 target 30 mounted'on sliding posts44-44 iitted thru corresponding recesses directly in the plate 5 and with coiled springs 45'45 surrounding the same and bearing between the under part of the 7 target 3 and the face'of the plate 5, washers 46-46 Secured to the shafts 45-45 limiting the upward movement of these shafts and also of the target 3, as will be appreciated.

In this modified form of the invention I have illustrated a somewhat 'difierent stop on the train of gears when the same are released and the spring 7 l0 unwinding.

In this form I apply the train of gears on suitable shafts between V the auxiliary frames 48 and 49 and form the "shaft 50 carrying the pinion M with a projecting end 5| adapted to bear against a movable lockingv;U -shapedvmember 52,. which member has form,;gand" operating to drive the pinion I4 from the spring ID; A leaf spring 6| attached to the upper part of the frame! is positioned .to bear upon the iU-shaped'member 52 amino!- mally impel the same downwardly or to' the left, viewed in Figs.-6 and'7; s

* When theitarget 3 is struck the same is moone arm 53 adapted to. slide in recesses in the 1 frames l'49'a'i1d 48;and with the'other. arm 55 .-s0mewhat shorter and adapted to engage in slots 56, 5170i" 58 which-are formedin the gear wheel 60;" corresponding ;to' the gear 13' in the' first mentarilypressed downwardly against the ten-' sionofthe springs 44, depressing the shaft 50, lifting the.U-,shapedimember 52 against thetension of the Spring'fihand thus withdrawing the 2 short arm 55ffrom engagement with one of the slots' 56, 51, or 58 in which it normally rests to hold the train of gears from rotating. The parts wouldthus' be shown in the position shown in 7, and the spring I 0 instantly acts to rotate the-train of gears and, hence,;movesthe gears-60 beyond the partition adjacent the slot 7 in which the short arm 55 has previously rested,

permitting it to engage the next slot as the target 3 is returned to normal position by the impelling action of the'posts 44, and the U-shaped the immember- 55 also returned to position by pelling action of the spring 6|. The slots 55, 51, and 58-maybe of any desired length to give a predetermined sparking action during the operation of the device. In this particulargform .I have illustrated a pair of arms 7 66-66 each pivotedjrespectively, at 6'I61 between a' pair of depending ears on a plate 68 se-' curedtothe shaft 50 and rotatable'therewith. The emery paper 20 is fitted to the base I in a path to be struck and contacted with the hint plugs l8]8 in the end. of each arm 66 in a manner similar to that described with the pivoted arms l|l1 in the form. above described so that rapid rotative motion imparted thereto will throw the arms 66 outwardly and force the flint plugs IS in contact with the surface of the. emery paper-20 as the arms are rotated during the unwinding action of the spring III} In Fig. 9, I have illustrated a typicalform of locking device 'for the spring l0 comprising a locking member Illsecuredto the winding shaft 1| carrying the spring 10 in this form,'slid'- ingly secured. on' a squared. end portion. of the winding shaft'and adapted to engage. stops -12, '13, and [4. around the periphery of. the line of 'travelof thelockingflmember 10 on the plate 48; and normally held'in downward-or locking position bya coiled spring 15. The stops 'l2,"

13, and {14 are arranged. with bevelled .faces 11 in the'line of winding action to permit. the-members 'I0 'to o ride up over, thefsame. during. the winding of the spring III by rotation of the handle 2|, whereupon the spring II will force the member 10 downwardly in flat contact with the plate 48 and abut against the perpendicular face of the respective stock over which it may have thus ridden to catch and hold the spring against unwinding. Any other convenient or feasible method may be employed if desired.

In both forms of my invention I thus provide automatic resetting means to hold the target in position for a succeeding impact and to provide for a predetermined sparking interval and action. Also I may, and preferably do, form the face of the target 3 with a plurality ofrecesses or openings to facilitate the visualization of the sparking produced by the rotating flint plugs [8 on the emery 20. These openings may be of any desired design and, if desired, may be covered with colored transparent members, thus producing an attractive kaleidoscopic effect.

The centrifugal action on the arms I'|l1 or 66-66 insures a yielding sliding contact between the plates, plugs, and the emery paper to produce an active sparking effect and yet no undue wear, the centrifugal action automatically compensating for wear in the plugs or emery paper, and insuring a proper contact at all times during the unwinding of the spring l0 and the operation of the apparatus for a predetermined time desired.

I claim: 7

Game apparatus of the kind described comprising a target memberof substantial area facing the player, yielding means normally supporting said target in extended position but permitting a limited reciprocating movement of the target when its surface is struck by a missile or the like,-a gear under tension by a windable spring and normally locked against movement, means automatically unlocking said gear upon reciprocation of the target permitting a limited extent of travel of said gear and thereupon automatically again locking the same while still under driving tension of said spring, in combination with devices associated therewith and actuated by the movement of said gear, to produce a sparking or the like action, while said gear is in motion.

EVERETT W. CRESWELL. 

